The weekly Texas Drought Report, developed for the 83rd Texas Legislature, shows 99 percent of the state currently in drought status and 13 percent in exceptional drought, the worst drought category.

“Eleven of the 20 municipal reservoir systems that we track across the state are less than 50 percent full,” the report states.

The report is virtually unchanged from last week, with almost 99 percent of the state in drought status, but the drought has worsened. Three months ago 90 percent of the state was in drought status, and a year ago 83 percent of Texas was considered in drought.

Currently, state reservoirs are at 66 percent, the same as last week and down one percentage point from three months ago but down from 78 percent this time last year. “Normally, statewide reservoirs are at 85 percent this time of year,” the report reads.

“Groundwater levels continue to decline in most of the state with drought accelerating the rate of decline in many areas. Most of the increased declines are due to higher pumping rates during drought.”